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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
(3.5) overall, this was an easy and entertaining read! i loved the creative concept, but the delivery could’ve been better. i still can’t believe the gods didn’t know why their powers were waning. it was so apparent
I thought I knew what to expect going in, but was pleasently surprised very early on. The book was quite blunt and the style of humour was right up my alley.
As a lover of all reiterations of Greek myths in fiction, this book has been on my list for years, and I finally got around to reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed this interpretation of the gods in the modern world. For one thing, it did not shy away from how terrible the gods have always been - for example, Apollo, one of the main characters, genuinely doesn't consider rape to be harmful, and doesn't understand why it's wrong. There are plenty of other examples throughout the book of the gods just going on as they've always done, exactly as the title says: behaving badly. This book sees the Olympians living in squalor in London, losing their abilities and their influence on the world due to humanity's lack of belief in them. I loved seeing how each of the gods exist in the modern setting and the "mortal" jobs they all had. We get to see most of the Olympians here, including Hades and Persephone, but regrettably (at least to me) Poseidon never made an appearance, though it's mentioned several times that he exists and just lives separately from the other gods. In addition to the gods, namely Artemis and Aphrodite, the novel focuses on two human main characters, Neil and Alice. Coincidentally, halfway through the book it starts to have a very Alice in Wonderland vibe to it, which I really enjoyed.
I had no problems with the story itself, except for maybe one unanswered question - how did the gods get into their situation in the first place - and it was genuinely funny to read at times. My only real issue was that it's very dialogue heavy, which made the writing style sometimes lack emotion for me - there are really no other dialogue tags used other than the word "said," which becomes very repetitive, and made it hard for me to feel emotionally connected to the characters and fully absorbed in the story.
But I loved Neil and Alice, and I loved the portrayals of the gods. The epilogue was great and the story itself was fun to read. Overall a really enjoyable book for any fans of Greek Mythology and fictional takes on it, especially anyone looking for a more adult spin.
I had no problems with the story itself, except for maybe one unanswered question - how did the gods get into their situation in the first place - and it was genuinely funny to read at times. My only real issue was that it's very dialogue heavy, which made the writing style sometimes lack emotion for me - there are really no other dialogue tags used other than the word "said," which becomes very repetitive, and made it hard for me to feel emotionally connected to the characters and fully absorbed in the story.
But I loved Neil and Alice, and I loved the portrayals of the gods. The epilogue was great and the story itself was fun to read. Overall a really enjoyable book for any fans of Greek Mythology and fictional takes on it, especially anyone looking for a more adult spin.
funny
fast-paced
I found this really funny. I think Artemis is my favourite character, though she is my favourite goddess so maybe I’m a little biased! I really liked Aphrodite and Eros’ character dynamic it feels reminiscent of the Eros and psyche myth but without the romance between Eros and the main humans. Hermes was interesting and I enjoyed the fact that he was portrayed as just having all the jobs the other gods didn’t want to do. I don’t think I’ve seen the characterisation of ares in a way like this before, where he literally invited violence wherever he goes.
There were a lot of things I liked, but overall I didn’t get as wrapped into this world as I had expected to. Highlights: a wholesome romance between two ordinary humans, a climax reminiscent of The Amber Spyglass :’-) and fun reminders of all the goddesses and gods I forgot about! I liked Artemis the best, obvi, but Aphrodite made me laugh the most. Eros was cool, I’m into Dionysus (although he was mostly off page) but all the other male gods can fuck off
this was a fun one. it’s always cool to see ancient ideas and mythos in a current day setting. there wasn’t anything too high stakes in this book, so it was an easy read as well. the gods were exactly how i assume them to be, with a little bit of existentialism thrown in there that was a good surprise. i also enjoyed the political undertones the writer was going for. they weren’t too overt or in your face, just very to the point and truthful. oh and the fact that artemis is the one to figure it all out and save humanity made me very happy. she has always been one of my favorite gods
This novel is an entertaining comedy about the Greek gods living in modern London. The story focuses on Apollo and the trouble he causes.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator does a good job distinguishing each character.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator does a good job distinguishing each character.
Good to revisit the Greek Gods. It has been too long. Fun retelling.
In Gods Behaving Badly the twelve greek gods and goddesses of Olympus are stuck in a rundown rooming house in London. Aphrodite is a sex worker, Artemis a dog walker and Apollo a class five narcissist. Mortals no longer believe in them and they are losing their power. Even Eros has converted to Christianity and laments never meeting Jesus when he had a chance.
Things change when one of Aphrodite’s acts of revenge on Apollo has unintended consequences bringing two mortals - mild mannered Alice and Neil into their world.
This was just such a fun read. Not what you’re looking for if you’re looking for highbrow literary fiction but highly enjoyable all the same. I laughed out loud several times on public transport whilst reading this. The Gods are as debaucherous, self involved and crude as you expect. The meek mortals provided a cute contract to the actions of the Gods. It was such a quick read and a lot of fun.
Things change when one of Aphrodite’s acts of revenge on Apollo has unintended consequences bringing two mortals - mild mannered Alice and Neil into their world.
This was just such a fun read. Not what you’re looking for if you’re looking for highbrow literary fiction but highly enjoyable all the same. I laughed out loud several times on public transport whilst reading this. The Gods are as debaucherous, self involved and crude as you expect. The meek mortals provided a cute contract to the actions of the Gods. It was such a quick read and a lot of fun.